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Event Report

Japan Night 2012



 On Thursday, March 15, the Significant Women’s Network and Lesley Kehoe Galleries held a charity event at the galleries in Melbourne with the focus of “Japan Tsunami - One Year On”. The keynote address at the event was made by the Consul-General of Japan, Mr Hidenobu Sobashima, and the guest speaker was Ms Catherine Taylor, former Trade Commissioner for Austrade in Tokyo. All funds raised by the event are to be delivered to the city of Ishinomaki which was devastated by the tsunami after the Great East Japan Earthquake.

Japan Tsunami - One Year On - Cocktail Party and Fundraiser

On Thursday, March 15, the Significant Women’s Network and Lesley Kehoe Galleries held a charity event at the galleries in Melbourne with the focus of “Japan Tsunami - One Year On”. The keynote address at the event was made by the Consul-General of Japan, Mr Hidenobu Sobashima, and the guest speaker was Ms Catherine Taylor, former Trade Commissioner for Austrade in Tokyo. All funds raised by the event are to be delivered to the city of Ishinomaki which was devastated by the tsunami after the Great East Japan Earthquake.

2012 JLTAV Statewide Conference and 40th Anniversary

On Friday, March 16, the Japanese Language Teachers’ Association of Victoria (JLTAV) held the 2012 Statewide Conference at the Hemisphere Conference Centre in Moorabbin, Victoria. The conference included a dinner reception to celebrate the JLTAV’s 40th anniversary. The event was attended by Consul-General Hidenobu Sobashima who made a self-introduction speech, and the Director of the JICC, Ms Keiko Egusa was also in attendance.

Festival of Sweets at the Immigration Museum

A festival celebrating sweets from various countries and cultures took place at the Immigration Museum on Sunday, March 18. The festival was part of the exhibition being held at the museum entitled Sweets: Tastes and Traditions from Many Cultures. An opening address was made by the parliamentary secretary to the Premier and adviser to the Minister for Arts. The festival was attended by the Director of the JICC, Ms. Keiko Egusa. The audience also included representatives of the diplomatic missions of India, Italy, Mauritius, and Turkey.

Community organisations from each of the countries represented in the exhibition, erected booths at the festival to provide samples of the sweets as well as other cultural activities. The festival featured a Koto performance (a traditional Japanese harp), as well as origami and tea demonstrations.

Prize for the Ohara School of Ikebana at the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show

A reception was held in honour of the 2011 JET Programme returnees at the Consul-General’s official residence on Friday 23 March.

The reception was well attended by many supporters of the JET Programme including the Secretary of the Parliamentary Friends of Japan in Victoria, Ms Donna Bauer MP, members of the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development and many former JET Programme participants.

The Consul-General of Japan, Mr Hidenobu Sobashima warmly welcomed the returnees back to Australia and introduced some of the fundraising activities they’ve held to support the disaster stricken areas. He also encouraged them to be actively involved with the JET Alumni Association and assist in promoting the relationship between Japan and Australia.

JET Returnee Reception

A reception was held in honour of the 2011 JET Programme returnees at the Consul-General’s official residence on Friday 23 March.

The reception was well attended by many supporters of the JET Programme including the Secretary of the Parliamentary Friends of Japan in Victoria, Ms Donna Bauer MP, members of the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development and many former JET Programme participants.

The Consul-General of Japan, Mr Hidenobu Sobashima warmly welcomed the returnees back to Australia and introduced some of the fundraising activities they’ve held to support the disaster stricken areas. He also encouraged them to be actively involved with the JET Alumni Association and assist in promoting the relationship between Japan and Australia.

2012 Asia NOW Festival

On Saturday the 31st of March, the inaugural Asia NOW Festival took place at the Box Hill Town Hall. Ms Keiko Egusa, Director of the JICC, attended the festival. The festival’s organisation was largely driven by Asian students living and studying in Melbourne, and featured a range of stalls selling traditional cuisine from Asian nations such as Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia. The main stage was used to demonstrate enthusiastic performances of music and dance. The festival also included interactive activities, such as an origami demonstration and a manga workshop.

Disaster Prevention and Management Seminar held by the City of Melbourne

On the 28th of March, a seminar on disaster prevention and management was held by the City of Melbourne. The seminar was held at the State Library and was presented with the involvement of the City of Osaka. Mr Toshimitsu Tanaka, Director for Disaster Prevention and Facility Management at Osaka City, took part in the seminar as one of the panelists.

The seminar proved popular with an audience of around 100 people, and was followed by a lively question and answer session. Ms Keiko Egusa, Director of the JICC, attended the seminar.

Free Japanese Film Screenings at the Japan Information and Culture Centre

On the 28th of March, a free screening of a Japanese film took place in the JICC audio/visual room at the Consulate-General of Japan, Melbourne. The film, カルテット, or Quartet, was provided from a special collection from the Japan Foundation.

Ms Keiko Egusa, Director of the JICC, made an opening address at the film screening, providing background information to the film, which was in mid-production when the March 11 earthquake and tsunami occured. Despite the difficulties, the production team completed the film at the location of Urayasu City, which sustained heavy damage from the disaster. The event attracted a capacity audience, with around 40 people taking the opportunity to enjoy the screening.

The 29th Australia-Japan Relations Essay Award Ceremony


Photo: Nichigo Press 		On the 14th of March, the Consul-General of Japan, Mr Hidenobu Sobashima hosted an Awards Ceremony and afternoon tea in honour of the Victorian award winners of the 29th Australia-Japan Relations Essay Contest. Approximately 60 guests attended including the winning students, family members, judges, teachers and education department representatives.

In his speech, the Consul-General Sobashima praised the winners for contributing to a deeper understanding between our two countries and encouraged them to maintain their interest in Japan and to actively work towards building the bridge of understanding between our nations in the future.

Consul-General of Japan Visits Bilingual Schools in Melbourne



 On Thursday 15th of March, Mr Hidenobu Sobashima, the Consul-General of Japan, accompanied by Mr Nao Endo, Director of the Japan Foundation, Mr Yutaka Nakajima, Manager of the Japanese Language Department of the Japan Foundation and Mrs Keiko Egusa, Director of the Japan Information and Culture Centre visited Huntingdale Primary School and Caulfield Primary School.

Both schools offer a unique Japanese Immersion Program whereby students take subjects including mathematics, art and physical education in the Japanese language. The delegation had the opportunity to see firsthand lessons in progress and speak with the principals and staff at both schools.

“Thank You From Japan” Exhibition

An exhibition was held at Melbourne International Fine Art by the Consulate-General of Japan in Melbourne on Saturday, March 10 and Sunday, March 11. The exhibition was entitled “Thank You From Japan” and was part of the commemoration of the first anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami. The exhibition was made up of a collection of photos of the disaster’s aftermath and the recovery process as well as 80 drawings completed by children from the areas of Japan most affected by the earthquake and tsunami. The uplifting drawings are now on display in the Japan Information and Cultural Centre.

Memorial Ceremony for the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami





 On Friday, March 9, the Consulate-General of Japan in Melbourne hosted a memorial ceremony to commemorate the first anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami. The memorial was held at Melbourne International Fine Art and was in conjunction with an exhibition title “Thank You From Japan” featuring images of the recovery process and drawings by children of the areas affected by the disaster.

The Consul-General, Mr Hidenobu Sobashima, made the opening speech and expressed the deep gratitude of Japan to Australia and the Australian people for their support during the aftermath of the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami. The event was attended by several dignitaries of the Victorian and Federal government and speeches were delivered by Premier Ted Baillieu and Governor of Victoria Alex Chernov. After the speeches guests enjoyed a taiko drum display and were able to view the uplifting exhibition.

“For Tohoku's Sake”- A Sake Tasting Event

Please click here to see the event report on the sake tasting event "For Tohoku's Sake"

Frankston-Susono Sister City 30th Anniversary Function

On Thursday, February 24, Frankston City Council hosted a reception at the Frankston Arts Centre to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the sister city relationship between Frankston and Susono. The Consul-General, Mr Hidenobu Sobashima, attended the function and made a speech. Speeches were also delivered by Cr Kris Bolam, Deputy Mayor of Frankston and Dr Shunji Ohashi, Mayor of Susono.

Year 2012

Year 2011